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If you're willing to accept a lower standard of living, you can raise a family on a quite modest income. Do we really need TVs and smartphones and hot water? No

If you're willing to accept a lower standard of living, you can raise a family on a quite modest income. Do we really need TVs and smartphones and hot water? Not to live, but they're widely valued for good reasons.

VBprogrammer 4y ago
Why do smartphones make this list. I never understand it. The utility value of a smartphone is enormous compared to the cost. I'm sure you can buy a reasonably decent android phone for £100.
- deleted 4y ago
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- purpleflame1257 4y ago
  Indeed. In many ways smartphones are the great global equalizer. In many places without steady electricity or running water smartphones are still there.
- grecy 4y ago
  The better question is why do TVs make the list. I feel quite strongly they actually make life worse, not better, so they're a net negative.
  - nickd2001 4y ago
    I'd argue there is much good to be found on TV mixed in with the cr*p. e:g quality films, CBeebies here in UK. PBS I guess in USA. More to the point, who needs to actually buy a TV? I never have! People are always giving them away cos they got the latest fancy one.
dontlaugh 4y ago
None of those things are expensive. Rents and mortgages are.
- linguae 4y ago
  That’s true, but I see where the original poster is coming from. Having grown up in a low-income household where every dime mattered, we couldn’t afford cable TV, and we didn’t have cell phones until 2004. The costs of cable/satellite TV subscriptions and data plans can add up. I’m a single man who works in Silicon Valley as a researcher and make an upper-middle class salary by national standards. I spend $80 per month for my cable Internet connection, $95 per month on my cell phone plan, and roughly $20 total on subscriptions such as YouTube Premium and Crunchyroll. Yes, cutting these subscriptions won’t help me much with saving for the six-figure down payments needed to buy a home in Silicon Valley, which I’ve resigned myself to never being able to afford unless I win the “startup lottery” or become an executive. However, the ~$200/mo I spend on subscriptions could go a long way toward feeding and clothing kids, especially if money is tight after rent and utilities.
janef0421 4y ago
Abstractly? No, we don't. But we do need entertainment and leisure, and we do need to communicate with each other. In the modern age, those essential needs are most practically met by using advanced digital technologies, and not having them would result in a deficiency that would negatively affect one's sense of happiness.
1123581321 4y ago
Phone service (MVNOs, family plans) and hot water (heat pumps, Pex installs) are getting cheaper, too. TVs will as well, once they reach the size of typical living room walls. :)

VBprogrammer 4y ago

Why do smartphones make this list. I never understand it. The utility value of a smartphone is enormous compared to the cost. I'm sure you can buy a reasonably decent android phone for £100.

deleted 4y ago
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purpleflame1257 4y ago
Indeed. In many ways smartphones are the great global equalizer. In many places without steady electricity or running water smartphones are still there.
grecy 4y ago
The better question is why do TVs make the list. I feel quite strongly they actually make life worse, not better, so they're a net negative.
- nickd2001 4y ago
  I'd argue there is much good to be found on TV mixed in with the cr*p. e:g quality films, CBeebies here in UK. PBS I guess in USA. More to the point, who needs to actually buy a TV? I never have! People are always giving them away cos they got the latest fancy one.

dontlaugh 4y ago

None of those things are expensive. Rents and mortgages are.

linguae 4y ago
That’s true, but I see where the original poster is coming from. Having grown up in a low-income household where every dime mattered, we couldn’t afford cable TV, and we didn’t have cell phones until 2004. The costs of cable/satellite TV subscriptions and data plans can add up. I’m a single man who works in Silicon Valley as a researcher and make an upper-middle class salary by national standards. I spend $80 per month for my cable Internet connection, $95 per month on my cell phone plan, and roughly $20 total on subscriptions such as YouTube Premium and Crunchyroll. Yes, cutting these subscriptions won’t help me much with saving for the six-figure down payments needed to buy a home in Silicon Valley, which I’ve resigned myself to never being able to afford unless I win the “startup lottery” or become an executive. However, the ~$200/mo I spend on subscriptions could go a long way toward feeding and clothing kids, especially if money is tight after rent and utilities.

janef0421 4y ago

Abstractly? No, we don't. But we do need entertainment and leisure, and we do need to communicate with each other. In the modern age, those essential needs are most practically met by using advanced digital technologies, and not having them would result in a deficiency that would negatively affect one's sense of happiness.

1123581321 4y ago

Phone service (MVNOs, family plans) and hot water (heat pumps, Pex installs) are getting cheaper, too. TVs will as well, once they reach the size of typical living room walls. :)